Toronto, ON, September 10, 2013 - Avenza Systems Inc., the leading developer of cartographic software --such as MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager geospatial tools for Adobe Photoshop -- announced the launch of PDF Maps app 2.0 for iOS devices. Unique to the space, the enhanced version incorporates suggestions from consumers that currently use the first and only geospatial PDF and GeoTIFF reader on Apple iOS for travel, outdoor activities or business purposes out in the field. Based on the needs of its primary consumers, PDF Maps app 2.0 provides iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users the ability to track speed and elevation in real-time and import and export data more succinctly.

The PDF Maps app takes advantage of geospatial technology that allows travelers to view and measure real world locations and attributes. Paired together with mobile devices that utilize GPS, such as an iPhone, the PDF Maps app provides constant access to geographic locations and even points of interest without the risk of losing reception due to cell tower proximity making it the ultimate travel accessory for any activity in areas where internet bandwidth is not available or while roaming outside one's data zone. With the latest updates in PDF Maps 2.0, users will appreciate the breadth of tool management features:

Tracking real-time movement with GPS which includes noting speed and elevation statistics

Saving, exporting and importing tracks in KML format

Saving measurements to line data as well as importing and exporting lines in KML format

Map Features list for easy organization of placemarks, lines and tracks including folder enhancements

Improved export accuracy

"When we first launched PDF Maps app in 2011, we knew there was a segment of digital map users that needed something more robust than the turn-by-turn digital maps that were useful in an internet-laden urban environment, and more accessible than the expensive GPS devices that could be used offline. PDF Maps app filled that gap, and since then, we've grown a dedicated following that understands we've created a tool that supports how they want to travel, work and play... offline," said Ted Florence, President of Avenza Systems Inc. Today, we've come to a point where we can take consumer feedback and refine it in a way that benefits everyone which has been an invaluable experience for us, and we're excited to introduce the latest version of Avenza's PDF Maps app 2.0 to the map users that have provided their own insight to help create it.

Unlike other map apps that provide one view of a location using GPS coordinates as most maps do, Avenza's PDF Maps app expands a traveler's choices, allowing them to access detailed geography or points of interest created by specific map publishers for use on land, sea or air. PDF Maps app 2.0 allows consumers to access information while at a destination, providing users an opportunity to make the most of their time experiencing their environment rather than searching for cell reception to access directions.

Currently, Avenza's vast PDF Maps app library covering maps for domestic and international travel includes more than 100,000 maps organized by state and area. All maps available through the in-app iTunes-like map store offer the following capabilities:

PDF Maps app 2.0 is available now on the iTunes App Store free of charge for personal and private use. Commerical, government and academic use licensing is available for a nominal fee. For more information about PDF Maps, visit the Avenza website at www.avenza.com or the PDF Maps website at www.pdf-maps.com. Pricing of each map is set by the publisher and free maps remain free to users through the PDF Maps app in-app store.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools for making better maps. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services. For more information visit the Avenza website at www.avenza.com.

Posted 11 September 2013 - 11:53 AM

This is great. Looks like some good updates... especially useful for using as a field data collection app.

As we will be teaching Mobile Data Collection techniques a few times this quarter using PDF Maps as a core technology, I have a couple of questions. First, is the "improved import accuracy" and change in the way the device records location coordinates? I know the previous version displayed the GPS coordinates but for waypoints it recorded a less accurate coordinate based on the map cell size. Will the app now record the actual coordinate as taken from the GPS chip?

Second, when will this be released for Android? One of our biggest obstacles to recommending this as a solid field tool for our researchers has been the lack of Android support. Really looking forward to this!

Ted Florence

Posted 16 September 2013 - 01:10 PM

Ted Florence

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Indeed, the improvement we made to the placemark locating does relate as you have suggested, ie. that the coordinates of placemarks are now based on the exact position rather than the cell size. The Android version is in very late public beta now so you can grab it any time and start playing. The map store is even hooked up so you can even make purchases now on your Android devices. http://www.pdf-maps.com/android/beta

Posted 17 September 2013 - 09:40 AM

Indeed, the improvement we made to the placemark locating does relate as you have suggested, ie. that the coordinates of placemarks are now based on the exact position rather than the cell size. The Android version is in very late public beta now so you can grab it any time and start playing. The map store is even hooked up so you can even make purchases now on your Android devices. http://www.pdf-maps.com/android/beta

We are aiming at a release in the next few weeks.

Ted

That's great news Ted, I'm very excited to have this on both platforms. Thanks for the update!

Posted 26 September 2013 - 05:49 PM

Indeed, the improvement we made to the placemark locating does relate as you have suggested, ie. that the coordinates of placemarks are now based on the exact position rather than the cell size. The Android version is in very late public beta now so you can grab it any time and start playing. The map store is even hooked up so you can even make purchases now on your Android devices. http://www.pdf-maps.com/android/beta

We are aiming at a release in the next few weeks.

Ted

Ted, I checked out the Beta of PDF Maps for Android (installed todays version). So glad this is almost here. I noticed that the beta seems to be missing a few features of the iOS version, mostly around folders and schemas.

I'm curious if the full release version will be the same as iOS or is it going to have a subset of the iOS features?